In-situ mechanical characterization of a paste backfill with a self-boring pressuremeter

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 93, No. 1042, 2000

J. Ouellet and S. Servant, Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering McGill University, Montreal, Quebec

A brief background on in-situ testing of mine backfill, as well as pressuremeter testing is briefly described, and results from an in-situ testing on paste backfill are presented. A series of self-boring pressuremeter tests were done from the top of a backfilled stope in an underground mine. The tests were conducted along a 20-metre vertical line in the centre of the stope. Some 14 tests were performed along this depth. The instrument used was a Camkometer built by Cam Insitu, Cambridge. The instrument proved to be efficient and reliable for underground testing in a cemented paste backfill. The testing program was conducted within the planned schedule with a high success rate. The test done in this study permitted the measurement of paste backfill strength, stiffness and in-situ horizontal stress within the backfill.

Keywords: Rock mechanics, In-situ testing, Underground mining, Stress testing, Pressuremeters.